Is anyone concerned about the health implications of mask-wearing in school?

[Noodlevonstrudle]

Just that really. With the best will in the world children and teens are likely to be touching their face way more wearing a mask than they ever would otherwise. There will be masks dropped on the floor, stuffed in pockets, left in the bottom of bags and then put back on again. It worries me a lot that not only will they be ineffective against Covid but that they will actually be harmful.

Children are also protecting themselves.
My nephew caught COVID and even though he only had a cough, weeks later he isn't feeling well and his parents are worried (both doctors, BTW).

It is not a given that covid will go through children without consequences.

Worst case, they are protecting their loved ones. Their parents, for example. Why wouldn't they? The alternative would be masks and distancing at home. Is that better?

You turn people off with this attitude

No, I turn you off with this attitude, which is not something I'm fussed about really.

@noblegiraffe

You turn people off with this attitude

No, I turn you off with this attitude, which is not something I'm fussed about really.

If your goal is persuasion, then maybe you should be fussed.

Some of us are somwhere past the point of attempting persuasion.
More like banging heads against walls.

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum those kids, the head, or whomever set that tune should be commended as an example how these kids did their civic duty by voluntarily wearing masks to help protect others (and themselves).

Not like some moany Marthas on here who only think about every excuse under the sun why their little Johnny can’t possibly wear one.

Seriously?

Well if we can't tell a bunch of 11-16yo to wear a mask properly and store properly then we have much greater problems than the issues online learning has caused.

They aren't babies.

I think it’s parental responsibility to teach our children about the hygiene of mask wearing and supplying frequent changes.
I have a laundry bag that my family place all used masks in at the end of the day for washing. I supply my children with sufficient clean masks to last last the day. They change them at breaks and when they feel damp. They know to only touch the elastic loops. I’m bringing up responsible citizens that know they have a level of community responsibility for the greater good.

@MarshaBradyo

Agree everyone should be able to talk. It is difficult though because at this time we risk putting fear or worry into peoples heads. Bit of a tightrope walk to balance that.

Truely hey, yep although it can work both ways. Some may be feeling unsure and could see data on how it works in other countries etc

I don’t know what the typical lines are from groups as I don’t seek it out.

I agree

Also the stupid thing about mentioning these groups is people may research them. It is potentially promoting the very thing people are against. Someone looks and then gets persuaded by their argument.

@MarshaBradyo

That last line just generally not direct to you Truely

😂

@Xerochrysum

I don't understand the sentiment of parents who want to send their children back into the school without any measures to reduce the spread. Do they want endless disruption, or do they even have children, I wonder.

I am beginning to think it is people that just don't want kids to go back and want lockdown extended in general. Maybe they are worried or anxious or something. That sounds paranoid I know. However some posters really make you wonder.

@hamstersarse

Has anyone noticed 18.5m people who are most at risk have been vaccinated?

I think some people are never going to ditch their masks. I’ve tried to fathom why, but there is no logical reason. We’ve been repeatedly told that schools are not a source of high transmission, and we all surely know this virus is not harmful to children.

I believe the plan is that all 32 million people on the priority list need to have had a first dose before restrictions can relax. This should be done in April.

That is why if we send kids back to school we need more safety measures for a short time.

and we all surely know this virus is not harmful to children.

We don’t all surely know this, because it’s not true. “Not harmful to most children” is more accurate. A thankfully small number of kids have the virus badly, a small number suffer ongoing effects. I would rather my students didn’t have to go through that, if it is preventable. As masks reduce transmission, it gives me peace of mind that my students are safer.

@Noodlevonstrudle

Just that really. With the best will in the world children and teens are likely to be touching their face way more wearing a mask than they ever would otherwise. There will be masks dropped on the floor, stuffed in pockets, left in the bottom of bags and then put back on again. It worries me a lot that not only will they be ineffective against Covid but that they will actually be harmful.

Really. Find yourself something else too worry about. I work in a school where masks have been used, with varying changes due to changing restrictions, and it's perfectly OK. Attendance is excellent, so whatever grubby practices are going on, it's not harming them.

Though I have my fingers crossed that the rules in Victoria will change to encouraged in classrooms today. It's a bind enforcing the masks.

Yes there are well documented problems to using dirty/damp masks and from touching it and your face. However if your child is at secondary school and doesn’t have a learning disability I’d generally expect parents can teach them to use a mask properly. Mine uses 2 surgical masks a day. Not great for the environment but can’t tolerate a thick cotton one

Of course, this is anecdotal but...

My two children have been in school since mid-August. Everyone at the school is required to wear masks at all times, regardless of age. They eat lunch outdoors weather permitting (6 feet apart, yes, we’re in the States) so that they are in well ventilated areas when masks are off. I have a 6 year old and a 10 year old. Their masks are fine, not coming home grotty. They’re required to bring a spare each day just in case, and the teachers advise them if they must switch them out. I just chuck them in the wash after each use. As far as I know, it has not been a problem for anyone. And as a bonus, my kids have not been sick at all this school year so I don’t think the masks are promoting spread of bacteria or other germs. Out of 750 pupils, faculty and staff, our school has had 14 total Covid cases since August. None were contracted at school - all were contract traced to other places.

I have many friends in the UK and I’m very hopeful that the return to school is safe and positive.

The idea that calling out astroturfers is a bad idea is a funny one.

They want to be hidden and insidious. They want it to seem like their ideas are popular and held by normal people who just happen to be concerned. And have a distant relative with a BACTERIAL LUNG INFECTION.

That's why they're not open about who they are or what they want. So people should be aware that they are being lied to.

If your goal is persuasion, then maybe you should be fussed.

Definitely not fussed about you. 🤷‍♀️

We are in Wales and last term they had to wear masks in corridors between lessons but in reality it sounds like most of the kids in my son's class(year 7) also wore them in the classroom too. I thought that was the policy in England aswell but obviously not.

Again, more confusing guidance for schools to try to make sense of. Masks are not compulsory:
www.itv.com/news/2021-02-25/covid-tests-and-face-masks-not-compulsory-but-recommended-at-schools-says-education-minister

My DS16 would wear a full hazsuite if it was the only way he could go back to school.
I’m a dentist and have been wearing a face mask and visor to work in for the last 15 years. I’ve never heard of anyone in the industry developing pneumonia as a result.
Masks for the general public are basically a permanent handkerchief to catch coughs and sneezes which generate aerosols. They are not meant to protect the wearer but do reduce the risk for those in close proximity.
Totally different function to those worn by HCPs.

@Noodlevonstrudle

I have no idea either way - just asking the question. One of DS' friend's grandmother contracted bacterial pneumonia that they thought was related to mask-wearing so yeah, it's something I'm slightly concerned about.

So you heard a story that your son's friends relative got pneumonia from wearing a mask and you think this means masks can cause bacterial illness in the general population?

There is no robust evidence suggesting mask wearing is harmful.

[quote Orangeblossom1977]This doctor died after wearing the same mask..she had asthma...could be concerns if not cleaned / changed I suppose. However most young people would be low risk I suppose.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/07/texas-doctor-adeline-fagan-covid-coronavirus[/quote]
The article clearly states (in the second paragraph) she died of COVID.

No

There was a doctor on tv tonight and he was saying one of the biggest mistakes by everyone including WHO , the medical profession and the government was not making the the airborne implications of spread a priority over the of washing hands and touching surfaces . He said hindsight is a wonderful thing . But now we know , masks and ventilation are important.

Forced, or “strongly encouraged” masking of children is a medical intervention, and we should expect the same standards of proof as any other medical intervention. I’d expect proof to exist that it’s safe, effective, and essential.

You might try an experimental intervention on a patient who would otherwise die, but you wouldn’t try it out on a child who is at no personal risk, just because you reckon they might give it to someone who might give it to someone who might give it to someone who might give it to someone’s grandmother who didn’t take the vaccine.